Woman with nine brain tumours backs funding call
Laura Critchley, 40, says more funding is needed for research into brain tumours.
Laura, who worked as a SEND director at a multi academy trust, said despite being away from her job it had been "a massive positive" to be able to be "the best mum and really present for my sons" while her family came to terms with her diagnosis.
"When you get a diagnosis it's not just the impact on you, it's every person in your life.
"It just goes to show how important research is.
"Brain tumours affect more of us than you would ever think, and yet funding and awareness remains critically low.
"More investment is needed to give hope to people and families like mine.
"I want people to have more understanding not to take life for granted.
"Things can change in a heartbeat - just be aware of that."
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: "For too long, brain cancer has not received the attention it deserved, but our new National Cancer Plan is working to change that, with faster access to life-changing clinical trials, a new national clinical lead for rare cancers, and brilliant new innovations like the rapid brain tumour test to transform treatment for patients.
"Over £25m is also being invested in the Brain Tumour Research Consortium to transform outcomes for adults and children living with brain tumours, and we are working with Cancer Research UK to co-fund Brain Tumour Centres of Excellence, accelerating the delivery of new treatments.
"And we recently held the first meeting of the National Cancer Board, the independent experts who will hold the government to account on delivering the progress we have promised in the National Cancer Plan and that Jackie and other campaigners want to see."
